""Two Hunters" is an interesting title. According to Nathan Weaver(guitarist/vocalist for Wolves, "the concept is about man and bear in pre-historic times, and their struggle for better or worse. Man won-out with his cunning and intelligience." The concept alone requires strong writing, and the music contains wonderful "depth." Each subsequent listen will reveal another nuance. The riffs are not just thrown together, they are placed for their musical reason and with great care. In other words, this contains some awesome songwriting. The male vocals are nothing short of maniacal screams and tortured resonance. Offset these male vocals with imo, the best female vocals I've heard in 2007, and Wolves have created a beautiful juxtoposition. Everything in this music is perfectly placed. Basically, this is one piece of music in 4 sections. The flow is never interrupted and the sound does'nt stagnate. Quite possibly, the best work of Black Metal I've heard since Negura Bunget's "OM" in 2006. Get this and Get lost in an engulfing sound. Best Black Metal album of 2007. Period."
One of the best albums of 2007
kinojay33 | 11/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a really eclectic album, blending black metal, ambient, prog, and drone into a powerful and heavily atmospheric recording. Unfortunately, Wolves in the Throne Room get more press about their primitivist lifestyle than their music, but their work speaks for itself. Highly recommended for fans of anything from Mayhem to Sunn O)))--if you like dark, loud & moody, this album is for you."
Black Metal??... such a misused label nowadays
kallista | FL | 11/11/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This band hails from Olympia WA and creates some of the most mystical and beautiful metal Ive heard in a couple of years. As stated, the term Black Metal is thrown around entirely to easy in this day and age, and I wish this could be under control. Wolves in the Throne Room definitely possesses a Black Metal feel but they just go so much deeper and farther than the traditional cult bands, incorporating atmospheric, and a flowing almost trance-like feeling for their listeners. I would encourage fans of all genres of metal to add this to their collection, and read up on this band. Every time I spin either of their discs I am amazed and truly satisfied. Buy Diadem of the 12 Stars as well, you will thank yourself!"
Natural? Minimal? Inspirational.
Z. Simon | Poway, California United States | 04/15/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've been trying to get into this area of Metal for a decade. Each time I step forward, willing and eager, only to walk away, disappointed all round that the balance is off again; a little too much here, not quite enough there. Unlike other musical territories, however, I always kept coming back, convinced that I just hadn't tasted the right recipe, that dismissing it as another overly formulaic metal hip was just too easy.
And then it became too difficult to enjoy any type of music without a heavy dash of nostalgia, so I figured I needed something to cleanse my pallet.
So I got into Sunn O)))
And I learned about Wolves in the Throne Room.
Now I'm licking my lips for more.
Thus my biggest critique is an unfair, near-contradiction, as I want this album to be twice as long as it is. The vocals are no less abrasive, the drums are no less jarring, but they manage to soar with the guitars rather than distract from them. Transitions between soothing Goddesses and avenging Demons are abrupt, but far from awkward. In fact, at last, I feel I'm listening to the actions of artists rather than the reactions of malcontents.
It's not very metal of me to say this, but I hope I'm not alone, and I hope they're not either.
"
EXCELLENT!
J. Bias | Small town America | 11/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not really into the whole "black metal" scene and from what I heard I think MOST of it is just too silly. However I read an on-line article regarding Wolves in The Throne Room which intrigued me. I went to iTunes downloaded what I could (which was Cleansing from Two Hunters) and I immediately fell in love with them. I proceeded to purchase the rest of the album as well as Diadem of 12 Stars. On both albums I was not disappointed at all, although I would say Two Hunters seems to be more well crafted. I constantly play them when I can because I can't seem to get them out of my head. So for those who aren't into "black metal" but are looking for something heavy I'd say gives these guys a chance you won't regret it. For those who are die-hard "black metal" fans, get it you won't be disappointed. Best tracks? If I had to pick... anything on Two Hunters (there are only 4 tracks so there isn't much room for picking and choosing but you really can't go wrong with any of them). Be prepared though tracks can last anywhere from 6 to 20 minutes so an album with only 4 songs can actually equal out to a 12 track LP. This is some of the best new music out there that I've heard in at least 3-4 yrs."